Reduced timetable for the southeast of the train given the risk of "leaving the line"

Southeastern Railway will introduce a reduced timetable next week to reduce the likelihood of lost-time accidents on the route.

When the fall foliage accumulates on the ground, 50 million of them fall onto the railway line.

When mixed with rain and crushed by railroad wheels, they form a smooth layer on the rails like black ice on roads.

Many companies announced their autumn timetables At the end of September, during the "worst autumn weather" between the 12th and 16th of November, Southeastern will shortly be introducing a modified Autumn timetable.

This means that some off-peak trains at 28 stations in the Greater London call less frequently.

Affected locations include Bexley, Deptford, Plumstead and West Dulwich.

According to the company, up to 6,000 passengers are affected daily.

Ellie Burrows, head of Southeastern's train service, said: "Driving conditions can be particularly difficult for our train drivers at this time of the year, just as we would not ask anyone to accelerate across the streets over black ice, the line is at the same risk the train.

"We can not risk the safety of the passengers if the trains drive at full speed in bad conditions."

Passengers can check their journey on the Southeast Web site or their mobile app, National Rail Inquiries, or tweeting on @Se_railway.